Dr. Lisa Miller on The Awakened Brain

How Spirituality Rewires Us for Resilience, Connection, and Growth

Turning Pain Into Purpose: My Conversation with Dr. Lisa Miller

There are moments in life when it feels like everything is falling apart—when grief, burnout, or loss makes you question your place in the world. And yet, sometimes those same moments crack us open in unexpected ways. That’s exactly what I explored with Dr. Lisa Miller in one of the most moving conversations I’ve had on Passion Struck.

Lisa is a renowned psychologist, professor, and author of The Awakened Brain. But what makes her work so compelling isn’t just the science—it’s how she weaves research and lived experience to illuminate one central truth: our brains are wired for spirituality.

In our conversation, she shared how even the darkest seasons—depression, despair, trauma—can become sacred entry points. Not because suffering is noble, but because it breaks down our defenses and opens us to something greater than ourselves. She calls this “awakened awareness”—a state of being where we’re receptive to meaning, guidance, and connection with a higher presence.

One thing that struck me deeply is ..